Is it halachically permissible to attend a bull fight?

Question: Is it halachically permissible to attend a bull fight?

Introduction: Bull fights remain a popular sport in Spain and other Spanish countries. While we may not always visit places that have bull fighting, I think the conclusions Rav Ovadia draws from the halacha can be applicable to other situations of animal sporting.

Answer: It is clear that bull fighting is against our holy Torah and only cruel people participate in such games. The famous statement from the Talmud (Yevamot 79a) says that the Jewish People have three main character traits – we are ביישנים, רחמנים, וגומלי חסדים – shamefaced with fear of G-d, merciful and perform acts of kindness. So on one level, bull fighting would certainly seem to go against our merciful nature.

Additionally, there is prohibition of צער בעלי חיים, causing pain to animals, which Rav Ovadia says of a biblical nature. This halacha actually shows us how far we need to go to be sensitive to the pain of animals, not even considering the possibility of inflicting pain on them for our own leisure.

a)     For example, if we see our donkey is struggling to carry its load, we are obligated to lighten the load for it.

b)    The Talmud in Shabbat (128b) actually has a scenario where it is permissible on Shabbat to violate a rabbinic prohibition to avoid צער בעלי חיים which is biblical. Rav Ovaida comments that we do not find such leniency on Shabbat to allow you to do other mitzvot, thus it shows how sensitive we have to be to animals and not to cause them pain.

c)     The Talmud in Barchot (40a) also tells us that it is prohibited to eat your meal before feeding your animals. This is based on the pasuk ונתתי עשב בשדך לבהתך and only after you do that ואכלת ושבעת.

d)    The Talmud in Bava Metzia (85a) says that you should even go out of your way to be merciful on small bugs.

Rav Ovadia then quotes the sefer Ohr Hachaim who writes that it is only permitted to kill animals through shechita that we are allowed to eat. It is prohibited to kill other animals that are not kosher. The Nodah Beyehuda was asked about going hunting for pleasure and reaches the same conclusion that it is prohibited as an act of צער בעלי חיים. Rav Ovadia proceeds to quote other poskim who concur with these conclusions.

Rav Ovadia takes this position one step further and says if one were to pay money to attend a bull fight he would be considered a מסייע, one who is aiding in the sinful act.

Conclusion: It seems clear that attending a bull fight is prohibited.